It's no secret that some retired LEGO sets can consistently exceed expectations in the resale market. And with several high-profile sets approaching retirement in 2026, the next two years could be particularly lucrative for those who know where to look. Recent history suggests that the ceiling for some LEGO builds is higher than others, and scarcity, licensing and sheer ambition are all important in the pursuit of value.
That said, there is one characteristic that most overlook when predicting post-retirement value: replacement difficulty. Larger (and more expensive) sets or those deeply tied to a specific cultural moment are often harder for LEGO to reissue, and demand tends to linger long after store shelves are emptied. As such, the following discontinued LEGO sets stand out not only for their impressive builds, but also because history suggests their current prices may look modest, almost double, in retrospect.
Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter Icons Set (#10327)
The Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter is a rare example of LEGO hitting a cultural phenomenon at exactly the right time. Released under the top of Dunes mainstream return, this Icons set captures a vehicle that feels inseparable from Denis Villeneuve's films. Its 1,369 part count, intricate wings and eight exclusive minifigures give it a level of completeness that licensed displays don't always achieve.
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Current price: $164.99
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Retires July 31
The ornithopter is also uniquely placed due to the lack of precedent. There is no older LEGO Dune tuned to anchoring expectations, and no obvious alternative if it disappears. This uniqueness may increase resale prices when availability ends after the July 31 retirement, especially if future Dune films continue to maintain interest. Evergreen franchises like Star Wars usually benefit from set saturation, but it's a solid bet there Dunes slim LEGO presence can make this set feel doubly indispensable to collectors in retrospect.
Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale Ideas Set (#21348)
At almost 3,800 pieces, Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale is already a focal point for his retirement. The build delivers a dense tavern, dungeon and multi-level tower, all wrapped in classic Faerun fare. Its relation to games which Baldur's Gate 3 and its further expansion of Dungeons & Dragons minifigures also add hugely to the appeal of the set, especially given the included monster builds, such as the (rather ingeniously designed) Beholder.
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Current price: $359.99
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Retires on July 31
With Dungeons & Dragons minifigures as their own stand-alone project, LEGO has yet to match the scope of this set and doesn't seem to intend to anytime soon. It leaves Red Dragon's Tale as the definitive D&D LEGO experience. Even beyond that, however, larger, stand-alone fantasy sets historically age well once retired. In two years, this could easily be seen as a steal at this price.
Millennium Falcon Star Wars Set (#75192)
The latest Ultimate Collector series Millennium Falcon set is arguably the safest bet on this list, and that's not too hard to say considering how popular Star Wars LEGO sets are. At 7,500 pieces and a resale price that truly demands dedication to the hobby, this set will more than likely follow the exact price trajectory established by previous Falcons as it retires. Earlier versions were much less detailed and now fetch anywhere from the high hundreds to several thousand dollars, with the oldest sealed falcons approaching absurd territory on the resale markets.
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Current price: $849.99
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Retires on December 31
What sets #75192 apart from its predecessors is its timing and refinement, as well Star Wars may largely be in a cultural trough, the set appeals to original trilogy loyalists and sequel fans alike through interchangeable minifigure options. Once retired, this will likely remain the definitive Falcon build for quite some time. Between these “definitive” and “unavailable” tags, the value is exploding, and LEGO Millennium FalconHistory suggests that a doubling of the price within the next two years may be likely.
Honorable mentions worth a close look
With so many sets retiring this year Venator-class Republic Attack Cruiser (#75367) deserves attention based on previous precedent alone Star Wars LEGO set in place. The much smaller 2009 Venator now sells for several times its original price, despite being objectively less detailed. With over 5,000 pieces and exclusive Clone Wars characters, the modern UCS version feels poised for a similar trajectory once retired.
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Current price: $649.99
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Retires on December 31.
Why size and specificity matter as much as brand
Despite how many Star Wars sets appear on this list, it's worth noting that one of the biggest misconceptions about LEGO investing is that the brand alone guarantees returns. While Star Wars Branding really helps, not all licensed sets are equally appreciated. The strongest players tend to go beyond branding as large, display-first builds, ones that feel tied to a specific era or creative vision.
When LEGO revisits a topic, it usually does so with compromises to reach new price points or audiences. This leaves retired premium sets occupying a unique lane with no real compensation. This is why smaller playsets, even popular ones, rarely see the same growth curve; they are easier to redo and easier to ignore. However, sets such as Atreides Royal Ornithopter or UCS Millennium Falcon are statement pieces, and once they're gone, they're gone in spirit as much as in inventory.
The two-year window that matters most
While these sets will likely continue to grow in value for years, the first two years after retirement are often where the strongest growth occurs. It's the window where casual collectors realize a set is gone and speculative sellers haven't yet flooded the market. The tone set by the early jump is what turns a $350 purchase into a $700 conversation piece. Collectors willing to think beyond their building experience to the financial value of their shelves should be warned: if history holds true, today's hesitation can become tomorrow's doubly painful regret.
